FerryBox system providng real time data to Ice Patrol Ship

The UK Ministry of Defence have a customized Chelsea Technologies FerryBox system on board the Ice Patrol Vessel HMS PROTECTOR. The FerryBox system is designed to gather continuous real-time data of the surface waters through which the vessel travels. This data will be of value both to the MOD and the larger scientific community.

The FerryBox system is installed in the ship’s engine room taking water from the seawater intake used to cool the engine. A multi-core cable will connect the FerryBox system to a deck unit located in the hydrographic laboratory. The data will be recorded continuously, displayed in real-time and archived for post deployment analysis.

The HMS PROTECTOR FerryBox system utilizes the same Chelsea oceanographic sensor pack currently installed across the UK’s fleet of submarines. These FerryBoxes, plus the SeaSoar towed vehicle systems we have previously supplied for HMS ECHO and HMS ENTERPRISE, measure and record the same parameters providing a comprehensive co-ordinated range of oceanographic measurements that contribute to the recognized environmental picture.

Along with the Chelsea Ferrybox the HMS PROTECTOR is fitted with a sonic anemometer. Both sets of data will be provided to the NOC, where analysis and quality control will be undertaken to refine the air sea interface processing algorithms, enabling higher returns of the military worth from the data. The data will also be from a sparsely sampled area, predominantly southern oceans, thus adding significant value to the global oceanographic database.